Container for tubes and bulbs



Jan. 22, 1935. w. A; RINGLER CONTAINER FOR TUBES AND BULBS Filed July 2l, 1934 5 Sheets-Shea?I l INVENTOR @izmffmygf ATTQRNEYS Jan. 221935.

W. A. RINGLER CONTAINER FOR TUBES AND BULBS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2l, 1934 J0 za 2514 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Jan. 22, 1935. w. A. RINGLER CONTAINER FOR TUBES AND BULBS Filed July- 2l, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT oEEicE 1,988,631 coN'rAmEa ron TUBES AND BULBS William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa. Application July 21, 1934, Serial No. 736,289.

This invention relates to 27 Claims.

acontainer for tubes and bulbs and more particularly to a container for radio tubes, electric light bulbs and similar products which are generally examined and tested after packaging andbefore being the consumer or user.

passed on to Delicate instruments, such as radio tubes,

electric light bulbs and similar products, often become damaged through shock so as to be no longer operative. of such products generally The purchaser or consumer requires a test to be made immediately before purchase to determine that the dition. Containers for tofore been constructed to the container and removal times for purposes of test.

The bootlegging of infer merchandise is in good workable consuch products have herefacilitate opening of of the contents at all lor products in containers bearing the trademark of the manufacturer of a high grade product has become prevalent, particularly in the radio tube and electric bulb industry. The removal of a recognized high grade product from its container and the insertion therein of an inferior or ineffective product has been made easy by reason of the fact that the product must be made accessible at all times for test. No container has heretofore been designed which would permit the performance of proper tests of the contents at all times and at the same time prevent unauthorized removal and separation vof the contents from the container.

Furthermore, containers have not properly protected heretofore provided the delicate contents and large losses from breakage and damage have resulted. The method heretofore used for pack-l aging the product has also been cumbersome and expensive and hand.

has been largely performed by An obj ectof this invention is to provide a container especially adapted for the packaging of radio tubes and electric light bulbs, which will permit proper test and tents, but prevent examination of the conunauthorized removal thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container for delicate tubes and bulbs having means which will permit quick ejection of the contents for test and at the same time will leave telltale evidence if the contents are improperly tampered With and will require irreparable destruction of the container tents are to 'be removed.

Another object of this in a container for tubes, fully protects the contents jury and yet renders sible for test at all times.

if the original convention is to provide bulbs and the like which from shock and inthe contents readily acces- Still another object of this invention is tok provide a method for packag bulbs quickly and economic of hand operation.

ing radio tubes and ally with a minimum Still another object of this invention is to provide a container which may bemanufactured, packed and assembled in an economical manner substantially entirely by automatic machinery, which requires a minimum of material, which is strong, durable and foolproof in construction, which fully protects the contents against injury, which is easy to operate, and which can be made into a variety of attractive designs and patterns.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

The container forming the subject matter of this invention comprises generally an outer tubular member having enclosing side walls within which the radio tube or electric bulb is contained. The article itself may be wrapped with suitable advertising and contained within a cor--l rugated paperboard shell. An inner member is then wrapped around the article lengthwise thereof and the inner member and assembled contents inserted into the outer tubular member.

tions which telescope within and extend transversely across the outer container. One of the partitions is provided with a center opening through which the test end of the article extends. The test end of the tube or bulb is ejected beyond the end of the. outer member 4by a telescoping movement of the inner member within the outer member. Guide flaps, extending from' the partitions, facilitate the telescoping movement. The telescoping movement of the inner member, however, is definitely limited and the inner member cannot be removed from the outer member without leaving telltale marks of tampering or requiring irreparable destruction of the container. This is accomplished by the provision of a ap which extends from one of the partitions and is creased transversely to provide accordion folds therein. The free end of the flap is permanently secured to the outer container by means of an eyelet, staple or rivet which is so made that it cannot be removed without destroying or lacerating surrounding parts of the container leaving telltale marks of tampering. The accordion folds in the flap permit free telescoping movement of the inner member within definite limits sufcient to permit the test end of the tube to be inserted into a suitable electric socket.

The packing of the radio tube or electric bulb within the inner member may be performed automatically by a simple wrapping operation on a folding and gluing machine. The inner container may also be assembled by interlocking the parts together either by hand or automatically. The inner container with the merchandise packed therein is then telescoped into the outer container and the packaging is completed by the application of one or more rivets to secure the accordian iiap associatedwith the inner member to the outer member.

In order that a clearer understanding of my invention may be had, attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of ythis application and illustrating certain possible embodiments of my invention.

Referring to the drawings: l.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the completed container showing a radio tube inserted thereln;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inner memb'er as it appears when fully packed with the radio tube therein;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view o'f the outer tubular member fully assembled and ready to receive the inner member and its contents;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the fully packed container showing a radio tube positioned therein, this view being taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the completed container showing the radio tube therein partially`ejected into test position;

Fig. 6 shows a blank from which the inner member isformed;

Fig. 7 is a perspective ber in partially assembled form;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the inner member fully assembled with a radio tube packed therein, certain parts being broken away to more clearly illustrategthe construction;

Fig. 9 is an 'enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through the packed container showing parmeans used for permanently securing the inner member to the outer member;

Fig. 10 is surrounding shell and ber here shown construction;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the completed inner member and tube as shown Fig. 13 shows wrapping, the inner memline 1818 of Fig. 16.

Similar reference characters referto similar4 inclusive, the container comprises generally an outer member A is telescoped an tube or bulb.

of tubular form within which inner member B containing the The outer member A may be hinged thereto along view of the inner mem-` being of somewhat modified' Where only one accordion v Out telltale either polygonal or circular lin cross-section. 'Ihe outer member, shown in Fig. 3 for the purpose of illustration, is of rectangular form and .comprises side wall portions 1, 2, 3 and 4 retained in tubular form by means of a flap 5 glued to the side wall portion l.

'I'he inner member B may be formed from a. single blank of paperboard material such as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. 'I'he blank comprises side wall portions 10 and 11 hinged to the end Wall portion 12 along score lines 13. Guide flaps 21, hinged to the end wall portion 12 along the score lines 22, extend laterally therefrom.

An end wall portion 14 is hinged to the side wall lportion 10 along the score line 15 and is provided with a side wall flap 18 hinged to the end wall portion 14 along the score line 15. The side wall iiap 18 is adapted to overlap the connecting flap 16, hinged to the side wall portion 11 along the score line 17 when the inner member B is assembled. As shown more particularly in Fig. 8 the side wall flap 18 may be further provided with an interlocking flap 19 the score line 20. 'I'he interlocking iiap 19 may be tucked under or behind the downtumcd flap 16 in the manner shown in Fig. 8 so as to connect the side wall portion 11 to the end wall portion 14.

In packaging, the tube or bulb T is preferably inserted into a tubular corrugated shell C designed to protect the sides of the tube against destruction or injury from shock. The contact end of the articleT, comprising for example the prongs p in the case of a radio tube, is then insertedthrough an opening 29 in the end wall portion 12, as shown more particularly in Fig. 9. The side wall Vportions 1'1' and 12 and the end wall portion 14 are wrapped around the article T longitudinally thereof and the interlocking flap 19 is folded in back cf the downturned ap 16, thus enclosing the article T and the prowithin the inner member B. The interlocking of flap portions 18 and 19 with the flap 16 may beperformed either by handxor automatically by machine. 'I'he end wall portion 14 may also be provided with a suitable opening 30' therein through 'which the end por tion t ofl the tube T may project. The opening 30 also serves to center the tube or bulb Within the inner member.

The inner member B enclosing the article T is then telescoped into the outer tubular member A.. The guide flaps 21 extending from the end portion 12 are bent to slide along the inside surface of the tube A. The 'end wall portion 14 is provided with one or more accordion flaps extending laterally therefrom as shown in Figs. 6, 7, 9A and 10. 'I'he accordion flap is formed by the ilap portions 25, 26 and 31 hinged together along scoreA lines 28 and 32 respectively and to the end wall portion 14 along the score line 27.

ally from one side of the used, a guide flap 23 may score line '24 to the other portion 14.

end wall portion, is be hinged along the side of the' end wall that when attached it cannot be removed withdisiiguration or irreparable destrucflap, extending laterdistance within the ends of the outer member A so as to fully protect the projecting contact parts p and tip t from injury. When the tube or bulb is to be tested, slight downward -pressure exerted on the partition 14 will telescope the inner member B andthe bulb or tube contained therein so as to-eject the contact parts p beyond the outer end of the member A. The contact parts p may then be freely inserted into a suitable socket or other apparatus so as to test the tube or bulb. When the guide aps 21 pass the extreme end of the outer member A, the flaps will flare outwardly giving unobstructed access to the socket. When the contact parts p are to be moved into position for test the accordion ap unfolds as shown in Fig. 5, permitting therequired telescoping movement of the inner member B. The inner member, however, cannot be removed from the outer member A without tearing oi the accordion ap or doing visible damage to the container because the accordion ap is permanently secured to the outer member by the rivet or eyelet 50.

, A somewhat modified form of inner member B is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. In this form the side wall flap 18 is somewhat extended, and the side flap 11 is,somewhat curtailed in length. The side wall portion 11 and the engaging flap 18 may be coated with glue and either secured directly to the cuter surface of the protecting shell C or secured together in overlapping relationship. The side wall portion may also be coated with glue if desired to prevent movement of the article T and its containing shell C within the inner member B. The inner member B, shown in Figs. 11 and 12, may be wrapped around the article T and yits protecting shell C automatically on a gluing and folding machine. There is shown in Figs. 13 to 18, inclusive, a container having an inner memberY B further modified in construction. As shown. more particularly in Figs. 14 and 15, the side wall portion 11 of .this inner member is provided with a hook portion 46 adapted tointerlock with a hook portion 45 extending from the flap portion 18. This inner member encircles the tube or bulb longitudinally as before, and is retained in assembled position by interlocking the hook por- 'tions 45 and 46. This operation may be performed by a simple hand operation or automatically by machine.

The tube or bulb maybe substantially completely enclosed within the inner member by side flaps 41 hinged to the side wall portion 10 along the score lines 42 and by the side iiaps 43 hinged to the side .wall portion 11 and ilap portion 18 along the score lines 44. When completely assembled the inner member B appears as shown in Fig. 15. The inner member may also be prolvided with two accordion folds attached by an eyelet or rivet 50 to the opposite side walls of the outer member A. The inner member shown in Figs. 15 to 18, inclusive, operates in the same manner as the inner members shown in Figs. 6 to 12, inclusive.

It is now seen that a container'has been provided whichis especially adapted for the packaging and merchandising of radio tubes yand electric light bulbs which will permit testing and examination and prevent unauthorized re'- moval from the container. The container is made of few pa'rts which can be, assembled substantially or entirely by automatic machinery with a minimum of material and a minimum of waste. The entire package may be assembled and packed in three operations, requiring only one operation to assemble and pack the inner member B, one operation to form the tube A, and one operation to secure the accordion fold of the inner member B to the outer member A. Where the inner member B is made in accordance with Figs. 11 and l2 the inner member may be wrapped and glued to the protective shell surrounding thel tube or bulb on an automatic folding and gluing machine.

The container may be easily and quickly manipulated by the storekeeper to test the tube or bulb at any time. Slight pressure exerted upon the partition 14 immediately ejects the contact end p of the tube or bulb, .making the same immediately accessible for insertion into a suitable test socket. It is impossible to eject the inner member B farther than that required to eifect a proper test of the article T since the inner member B and the outer member A are secured together by the rivet 50 and the accordion fold. The rivet or eyelet 50 is so designed that it is impossible to separate the accordion fold fromthe outer member A without leaving noticeable evidencof tampering or actual irreparable destruction of the container. Thus it is impossible to remove the article originally packed in the container and replace the same with another article without giving the purchaser ample notice that the container has been tampered with.

The container herein presented is especially designed for the merchandising of radio tubes, electric light bulbs, gas mantles and other objectsv which are generally tested to determine their condition prior to sale. The bootlegging of inferior products and the unauthorized pack- -ing of such products in containers originally used or designed for the .packaging of another product is thus thwarted and prevented.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out inthe annexed claims, 'it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What'l is claimed is:

1. A. container for radio tubes and the like including, an outer member, a partition telescoping within the outer member supporting one end of the tube, means for closing the other end of the member, and means for limiting the telescoping movement of said partition.

2. A container for radio tubes and the like including, an outer tubular member, a partition telescoping within'the outerA member extending transversely across the same and providing a support for one end of the tube, a second transverse partition telescoping within the outer `member confining the tube therein, and means ylimiting the telescoping movement of said partitions.

3. A container for radio tubes and the like including, an outer tubular member, a transverse partition telescoping Within said member f moval of the contents partition and outer member which cannot be removed or detached to eifectuate removal of the tube without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

4. A container for radio tubes and the like including, an outer member of tubular form, a transverse partition telescoped within said member closing one end thereof, means for closing the other end of the memberand means limiting the telescoping y comprising an accordion fold associated with said partition, and an element permanently connecting said fold to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate rewithout leaving visible evidence of tampering.

'5. A container for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outermember, transverse partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the ends thereof, an element connecting said partitions, and means for limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said means being permanently connected toone of said partitions. and 'the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to remove *the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering. 4

6. `A container for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, a transverse partition telescoping within the outer member closing one end thereof, means for closing the other end of the member and confining the tube therebetween, a side wall therein. an opening in said partition through which the test end of said tube extends, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said portion comprising an accordion fold associated with said partition, and a securing element permanently connecting to said accordion fold and the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

7. A container for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, transverse partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the ends thereof and confining the tube therebetween, a side wall portion connecting said partitions, an opening in one of said partitions through which the test end of said tube extends, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said means permanently connecting one of'said partitions to the outer member which cannot be removed or de tached to effectuate removal ofthe contents without leavingl visible evidence of tampering.

8. A Acontainer for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outermember, transverse partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the ends thereof and confining the tube portion connecting said partitions, an opening in one of said partitions through which the extends, and means including an accordion fold associated with one of said partitions, and a metallic element permanently connecting the accordion fold to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to eil'ectuate removal of the contents without leavingvisible evidence of tampering..

9. A container for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, transverse partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the ends thereof and conlining the tube therebetween, side wall portions connecting said transverse partitions, an opening in one of said movement of said partition cannot be test end of 'said tube Aends thereof and conning the tube to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

l0. A container for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, transverse partitions telescoping within said member closing the ends thereof and conilning the tube therein, an element connecting said partitions, guide iiaps extending from said partitions. and means limiting the telescopng movement of said partitions, said means permanentlyconnecting the outer member to one of said partitions which removed. or detached to effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering. 1

l1. A container for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, "transverse partitions telescoping within the outer container closing the ends thereof and confining the tube therein, an opening in `one of said partitions through an opening in'the other partition operative to center the tube therein, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said means permanently connecting said partitions to the outer member which vcannot be removed or detached to eifectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

12. A container for articles to be tested prior to sale including a tubular outer member, transverse partitions telescoping lwithin the outer member closing the ends thereof and confining the tube therein, an opening in one of said partitions through which the test end of said tube extends, an opening in the other partition operative to center the tube therein, side wall portions connecting said partitions, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said means associated with one of said partitions, and elements permanently connecting said accordion folds to the outer member which cannot be re- 'moved or detached to effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

13. A package for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, a transverse partition telescoped within said member clos; ing one end thereof, means closing the other end of said member, a corrugated protecting shell surrounding the tube conflned between said telescoping partition and end closing means, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partition, said means permanently connecting said partition to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate removal of the tube without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

14. A package for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the therebetween, a protective shell surrounding said tube, side wall flaps extending from said partitions and xed to said shell, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said means permanently connecting said partitions to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

comprising accordion folds which the test end of said tube extends,

. 15. A package for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outermember, partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the ends thereof and confining the tube therebetween, a protective shell surrounding said tube, a side wall portion connecting said partitions fixed to said protective shell, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said means permanently connecting said partitions to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate removal of the contents Without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

16. A package for radio tubes and thelike including, a tubular outer member, partitions telescoping within` the outer member closing the ends thereof andA confining the tube therebetween, a protective shell surrounding said tube, a side wall portion connecting said partitions, aps extending from said partitions glued to said protective shell, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said means permanently connecting said partitions to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to eectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

17. A package for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the ends thereof and confining the tube therebetween, interlocking aps connecting said transverse partitions, n'd means limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said means permanently connecting said partitions to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to-effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

18. A packaging4 for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, partitions telescoping within the outerimember closing the endsthereof and confining the tube therebetween, a side wall portion connecting said partitions on one side thereof, interlocking aps connecting the 'partitions on the other side thereof, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions, said,` means permanently connecting said partitions to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

-19. A package for radio tubesfand the like which includes, a strip surrounding said tube having an opening therein through which the test end -of the tube extends, an'outer member telescoping over said strip and tube, yand means permanently connecting said strip and outer member limiting the telescoping movement of said strip and tube within the outer member.

20. A package for radio tubes and the like which includes, a continuous strip of paperboard material longitudinally surrounding said tube, said strip having an opening therein through which'the test end of the tube extends, an outer member telescoping over said strip and tube, and means including an accordion fold permanently connecting said strip to said outer -member permanently limiting the telescoping movement of the test end of the tube.

21. A package for radio tubes and the like which includes, a corrugated protective shell surrounding said tube, a strip of paperboard materi'al longitudinally surrounding said tube and shell, said `strip having anv opening therein through which the test end of the tube extends, a tubular outer member telescoping over said strip and tube, and means permanently connecting said strip to-said outer member permitting a limited telescoping movement of the test end of said tube.

22. A container for radio tubes and the like which includes, a tubular outer member, transverse partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the ends thereof, an element connecting said partitions, and means for limiting the telescoping movement of said partitions `which cannot be removed or detached without leavingV visible evidence of tampering.

23. A container for radio tubes and the like which includes, a tubular outer member, a transverse partition telescoping withn vthe outer member closing one end thereof, means for closing the other end of the member and coniining the tube therein, an opening in said partition through which the test end of said tube extends,

and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partition which cannot be removed-or detached Vto effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

24. A container for radio tubes and the like which includes, a tubular outer member, transverse partitions telescoping within the outer member closing the ends thereof and confining the tube therebetween, a side wall portion con- 25. A package for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, a strip longitudinally surrounding said tube telescoping Iwithin the outer member and closing the ends thereof, means connecting the ends of said strip,

and means limiting the telescoping movement thereof, said means permanently connecting said strip to the outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible signs of tam- Bering.

26. A package for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, a paperboard strip longitudinally surrounding said tube and telescoping within said outer member, said strip having partition portions engaging the ends of said tube and extending transversely across said outer member, and means limiting the telescoping movement of said partition portions which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate remo'val of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

27. A package4 for radio tubes and the like in- ,and means limiting the telescoping movement of said strip, said means permanently connecting said partitions` to the :outer member which cannot be removed or detached to effectuate removal of the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

WILLIAM A. RINGLER. 

